Montgomery detectives link burglar to sexual assaults

WASHINGTON – Montgomery County detectives are investigating a series of recent burglaries and suspicious incidents that may be related to three sexual assaults that span from June 2010 to January 2011.

Montgomery County Police detectives believe the suspect who committed robberies in September and August 2011 may be the same suspect of previously reported sexual assaults that occurred in June 2010, August 2010 and January 2011.

The recent incidents that may be linked to the suspect of the previous sexual assaults include:

On Sept. 22, a female resident left her apartment on Marathon Circle in Gaithersburg and saw a male suspect looking into an apartment on the first floor. The suspect left the area when he saw the female, police say.

A 50-year-old female was sleeping in her residence on Sept. 2 when she was woken by a noise, police say. The woman went to the front door and found a male suspect with a knife in his hand. The victim was cut by the knife after an encounter between the two, and the suspect fled the scene on Metz Drive in Germantown. The suspect is described as a black male, weighing 160 to 170 pounds and 5 feet 8 inches to five feet 10 inches tall.

On Aug. 28, 2011, a male suspect entered a 37-year-old female’s apartment on Clopper Road through an open bedroom window and forced her to perform a sexual act before fleeing the scene, according to Gaithersburg City police. The suspect is described as a black male, 20 to 28 years old, weighing 160 to 170 pounds and 5 feet 7 inches to five feet 9 inches tall.

Montgomery County police are advising residents to lock their doors and windows at night and upon leaving their homes.

Anyone with information related to the suspect or events to contact the Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section at 240-773-5070. People who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).